Walking through the food court at the Douglas County Fair, it's hard not to notice the dozens of people carrying big plates of fried bread oozing with honey butter and cinnamon sugar. Some slather their bread with raspberry or strawberry topping, but most “keep it simple,” said stand owner Dennis Bragg of Glide.

Fried bread, also called a scone or elephant ear, has been a fair favorite for decades. For nearly two decades, fair-goers have had to choose between Bragg's stand and the one across the food aisle owned by Katie Baker of Hillsboro.

Each stand boasts a secret and unique-tasting recipe.

“It's our own special family recipe,” Baker said. “We do not tell people what it is.”

Baker, who's family has owned the stand for about 20 years, said that while Bragg's product is good, she prefers her family's bread.

“Of course, I like mine best,” she said, laughing. “I think it's lighter and fluffier.”

Bragg, who purchased the fair stand from a church about 18 years ago, said his scones are a more traditional fried bread.

“It just has an original farm taste,” he said. “The consistency and texture is different.”

Bragg gave props to his friendly competitor.

“They make a good product. It's very tasty and good to look at,” he said.

When asked how she decided between the two dueling booths, Wanda Duncan, a self-described senior citizen from Cottage Grove, said it was easy to choose Baker's stand.

“It was the closest one to me,” she said in between bites.

Eleven-year-old Peyton Vaughn and her brother Jayce, 6, didn't care which booth provided their fried bread as long as they got to share their annual treat.

“It just tastes good,” Peyton said before tearing off a piece and teasing her brother with it.

A food without a comparable competitor is Marty Torrez's fried ravioli.

“It's one of the more unique foods at the fair,” she said.

The Eugene resident, who also serves meatball sandwiches and curly fries, is in her seventh year at the fair. She said she used to travel to other events, but the Douglas County Fair was the most fun and most profitable.

“We have the best repeat customers who stop by and say, ‘I gotta get my fried ravioli,' ” she said. “This is the best venue.”

Pati Lipey took her granddaughters — Marley, 7, and Maelin Holborow, 4, both of Winchester — to get their annual snow cone at the Hawaiian Shave Ice stand.

“As soon as we arrive, they need to get it right away,” Lipey said.

The girls, who were also sharing some curly fries from Leonardo's B-B-Q, said they had their eyes on some other fair treats.

“I like ice cream,” Maelin said. “Chocolate chip mint.”

Marley agreed, though said her next stop was going to be at Baker's stand for a funnel cake.

“They're so sweet,” she said.

Other fair fare include fajitas and fish tacos, Hawaiian teriyaki, wraps, New York Style Italian sausages, Umpqua ice cream, and burritos and nachos from Innerspace Cafe, one of the longest-running food stands at the food court.

Vendors will dish out delectables at the fair until midnight Saturday.

• You can reach reporter Anne Creighton at 541-957-4211 or by email at acreighton@nrtoday.com.